Sheffield war hero, 98, ‘overwhelmed’ by help after fundraiser smashes target in one day

Bernard Bools, 98, said his 'independence had been stolen' after his scooter was taken from outside his ground floor flat at Sunnybank sheltered accommodation in Broomhall.

The Star reported the story on our front page and no sooner had the news circulated, that Caroline Blythe a family friend of Bernard’s, launched a Just Giving appeal for £2,000 to get him a new one.

More than 90 people have now donated £2,140 – smashing the target in a single day.Caroline said: “Since I was a child Bernard has always talked about his time in the Army and in the war. It’s basically his life and he loves telling his stories, even in the past when I’ve bought a new German car Bernard will relate it to his time in the war and the Germans and how good they were at building cars and motors.“Bernard has a son who lives in Australia with his family and a daughter Beverly who does not live in Sheffield.

"Myself and my mum and sisters are like family to Bernard although not by blood and he has been a part of our lives for 30 plus years.

"Before Bernard’s mobility got bad he came to my mum’s house every single day, now my mum goes to him.

"My mum has spoke to Bernard and he knows about the fund.

"It’s great that everyone is on board and helping and we can not thank people enough. With the money raised I would also like to see how we can improve the security for the new mobility scooter down at the sheltered accommodation.

"Bernard had the scooter on a chain outside his front door, we need to look at how we can store his new one better or maybe get in touch with someone we can pay to make it more secure when locked up.”

Caroline added Bernard was “overwhelmed” with all this help.

"He is a wonderful man and a true hero,” she said.